The North-East Pass of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef
The Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef lies 30-40 minutes by boat from Mactan Island. It is 20 kilometers (11 nautical miles) from our Scotty's Dive Center Headquarters in Lapu-Lapu City, heading 89° on the compass. You can explore North-East Pass for a half day or full day. It lies lies east of the North-West Pass and Middle Pass.
If your tour package meets the right conditions, you may be in for a special treat. If the sun is shining and the water currents are calm, you may see a superpod (large group) of dolphins. These dolphins may be visible in the morning and mid-afternoon. They are about 2-meters (6-feet) long and they are dark gray to almost black in color.
Choose your tour packages carefully! Scotty's has the experience to navigate these channels without damaging the coral reefs. The Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef is one of only six double barrier reefs in the entire world. Preserving it is important!
The Origin of the North-East Pass
Most of the algae, corals, fishes and invertebrates in the Pacific Ocean evolved in the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef. Though the current form of the Danajon Bank may only be about 6 millenia old, its original form is likely older than the Great Barrier Reef.
Today, the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef serves both aquatic and aerial animals. This includes fishes and migratory birds. As it has for countless millenia, it provides food sources and a nursing sanctuary.
The Danajon Bank also serves an important terrestrial animal: humans. Despite the size of the Philippines, a majority of Filipino fishermen fish here. It has been a major food source for centuries.
The North-East Pass Excursion
While touring the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef's at the North-East Pass, you may see:
- anemone fish
- angelfish
- anchovy
- blue crab
- branch coral
- bullet tuna
- coral reef fish
- crocodilefish (De Beaufort's flathead, Giant flathead)
- crustacean, other
- elegance coral (wonder coral, ridge coral),
- feather duster worm
- finfish (true fish, fin fish)
- fish, other
- gar
- gorgonian (horny coral)
- grouper
- hard coral
- invertebrate, other
- messmate pipefish
- mollusk (mollusc)
- mushroom coral
- nudibranch (sea slug)
- parrot fish
- rabbitfish (spinefoot)
- scad
- sea cucumber
- sea fan
- sea urchin (urchin, sea hedgehog)
- seahorse
- shellfish, other
- shrimp
- snapper
- sole
- sponge
- squid
- tiger tail seahorse
- wrasse
North East Pass Excursion Rates
North East Pass schedule and prices from Mactan, Cebu
- Schedule: N/A
- Duration: N/A hours
- Price per person: Price might not be applicable, please contact us.
